Hyundai A-League classic clashes: Phoenix on fire

As Newcastle Jets prepare to host Wellington Phoenix at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night, we look back on the most recent Hyundai A-League clash between the two clubs.

Wellington’s top six chances remained alive when the teams met less than a month out from the 2016/17 Finals Series and the fired-up hosts played a like a genuine post-season threat.

An in-form Kosta Barbarouses scored the first, assisted the second and was a constant menace as the Kiwi outfit romped to a 5-0 victory.

Newcastle’s defeat, which came in the middle of a deflating six-match losing run, was their heaviest hiding of a forgettable campaign.

The Jets’ punishment was complete when, after Matthew Ridenton scored the third, Jason Hoffman bundled Hamish Watson’s cross into his own net.

Roly Bonevacia found time to round off the scoring with what would be his final goal at Westpac Stadium in yellow and black.

The Dutchman did add two scintillating strikes in an impressive upset away to Melbourne Victory the following week, but the dismantling of Newcastle proved to be the high point of Wellington’s season as they fell narrowly short of the top six.